Flap retaining device for cartons



FLAP RETAINING DEVICE FOR CARTONS Filed April 5, 1954 INVENTOR, ROBERT s. BLOOMER,SR

FL3O BY u 2.6 87+ H16 ATTORNEY:

Unite States Patent FLAP RETAINING DEVICE FOR CARTONS Robert S. Bloomer, Sr., Newark, N. Y., assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,920

7 Claims. (Cl. 229-7) This invention relates to devices for retaining or holding in desired position the closure flaps of cartons, and more particularly, to retaining devices adapted for use with cartons such as those made of cardboard and other similar stock, which are often used for the bulk packaging of ice .cream and other frozen comestibles, one object of the present invention being to provide an improved retaining device having a practical and efiicient construction which may be readily and economically manufactured.

This invention is particularly suited for use with the type of cartons which are designed to be opened at one end for the removal of the contents by scooping or dipping. Such cartons are usually formed with a plurality of end closure flaps which are folded into overlapping position thereby forming a multilayer end closure for the carton. Specifically, the above invention is particularly well suited for use with the type of carton disclosed in the patent to William H. Inman and Raynor M. Holmes, No. 2,655,304, issued October 13, 1953.

Although the above carton has a novel automatic selferecting bottom closure, and the carton may be opened by tearing action along a connection between adjacent side walls, the top end of the carton is closed by four separate flaps which are individually swung to closed posi tions and which may be opened independently of the side closure or the automatic bottom closure, for allowing removal of the contents by dipping or scooping. It is to this type of non-automatic end closure to which my invention is particularly adapted, for in many cases the consumer prefers to open the carton at the end and remove the contents by scooping, rather than separating the side walls of the carton and exposing the entire contents for removal by slicing.

In the above type of non-automatic end closures, there are at least three, and more often four, separate closure flaps which have to be swung from their overlapping closed positions upwardly to positions substantially coplanar with the respective side walls, and then downwardly against the outside of the carton side walls. When this is done the end of the carton is left fully exposed and the contents may be readily removed. However, heretofore this procedure has not been entirely satisfactory, because when the flaps are folded back against the respective side walls and then released, they tend to spring back to partially closed positions overlying the end of the carton due to the natural resiliency of the cardboard material of which the carton is made. As it is not possible for the consumer to hold all of the flaps down with one hand while scooping out the contents with the other, the result normally has been that two or more of the flaps have been allowed to spring back up partially covering the end of the carton and the consumer has removed the contents as best he could while trying to avoid coming into contact with the upwardly extending flaps. Usually one or-more of the end flaps has a thick layer of the carton contents adhering thereto so that the consumer usually got this material on his arm or on the sleeve of his garment. Not only is the above procedure unpleasant and unsatisfactory, but the carton flaps are liable to become contaminated by contact with the arm or sleeve of the consumer thereby producing an unsanitary condition when the carton is reclosed.

Another object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an improved retaining device or band for holding certain of the end closure flaps of the carton in downwardly extending positions so as to completely expose the end of the carton and to insure that the flaps will be out of the consumers way during the removal of the contents of the carton.

Diificulty has also been experienced in the past in attempting to accurately remove the contents of the carton by means of a scoop or the like without the use of a second instrument, and without requiring the use of both hands. That is, because there is no rigid sharp edge adjacent the top of the carton there is no means for effectively removing the excess ice cream from the scoop, and thus no means for insuring uniform portions. The only satisfactory method heretofore has been to use a second instrument, such as a knife or the like and draw the same across the open end of the scoop to remove the excess contents clinging thereto. This, of course, requires the use of both hands and takes more time and effort than is desirable.

Another object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a flap retaining band of the above nature, which provides a rigid and well defined edge against which the scoop may be scraped to remove the excess therefrom and to assure uniform portions.

Another object is to provide a retaining band having the above advantages which is provided with means for facilitating the quick and easy rescaling of the carton.

A further object is to provide a retaining band of the above nature which is simple in operation and which may be readily and economically manufactured and assembled.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing three of the end closure flaps of the carton held in position against the respective side walls by a retaining band employing the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a reduced top plan view, partly broken away, showing one of the end flaps in engagement with the retaining band for closing the end of the carton, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention herein disclosed by way of illustration, preferably comprises a band shown generally at 10 which is adapted to closely lit the outside surfaces of an end of a carton shown generally at 11.

As more fully described in the above patent, carton 11 comprises four side walls 12, 13, 14 and 15, which are foldably interconnected as shown. A securing flap 16 is hingedly connected to side wall 12 and is glued to the outer edge of adjacent wall 13. End closure flaps 17, 18,

19 and 20 are hingedly connected to the upper edges of means. The carton is so designed that liap 19 is first, folded into position closing the end of the carton and into direct contact with the contents thereof, while flap 17 is thereafter foldedfiov'er flap 19. Locking flaps 1's and 20 arethenfolded over flaps 19 and 17 and-interlocked, -as

well understood in the art, and as more fully described in the above patent.

Band-*"preferably comprises four body members 2 1 22 23:" and 24 of metal, plastic or other suitable mate rial, which are interconnected adjacent the ends thereof for forming a substantially rectangular hollow frame, as shownin Fig; 1.

Body members 21, 22, 23 and 24 are not of uniform depth for the full length thereof, but the center of the lower edge: of each member is arched upwardly, as at 25 (Fig.1- 1-) to accommodate the bulging of the side wallswcaused by the expansion. ofice cream as it is frozen; The end portions of the lowered'geof the body members: are flared. outwardly, as at 26, for guiding'the frame over the end of the carton.

Bodyimembersll, 22-and' 24'are' preferably turned or 'flaredinwardly alongthe upper edgesthereo-f to form flanges 27, 28, and:29,- respectively, as shown in Fig. 1, which extend inwardly at substantially right angles to thezrespective body members. Flange 27 is adapted to engagethe'hinge connectionbetween side wall 12 and respective end flap 17, when flap 17 is swung to its downwardly extending position shown in Fig. 1. Similarly flanger28 engages the hinge connection between side wall IS and end flap 18 while flange 29 engages the hinge connection. between side wall and end flap 20. Flanges 27, 28 and 29 arrest the downward movement of band 10 and serve to hold the same in position on the carton while at the same time they provide rigid and sharp edge portions against which the ice cream scoop may be scraped to remove the excess ice cream therefrom. Body member 23 is preferably not provided withv a flange similar to flanges 26, 27 and 28, for flap 19 preferably is not held in depending position against sidewall. 14, but rather fiap 19 is allowed to project upwardly' through retaining band 10 and is free to be folded downwardly against the outside of the band, or folded acrossthe exposed end of the carton, as hereafter more fully described.

As flap- 19 is not confined by band 10, it may be folded downwardly along the outer edge of the band, as shown-in dotted lines in Fig. l for completely exposing the. end-"of the carton and allowing easy removal of the contents thereof. In addition, flap 19 may be folded forwardly to its position shown in Fig. 2, substantially closing the opposite end of the cartonan'd thereby providing atemporary closure for thecarton so that it may be: returnedto the refrigerator or freezer. Frame 10 is provided with means comprising a pair of spaced lip portions 30 (Fig. 1) for holding flap 19 in position for closing the end of the carton. Lip portions 30 are adapte'd t'o engage the'free edge of flap 19 and are preferalbly formed from body member 21, although they could equally Well be formed from body members 22 and 24. Lip portions 36 engage the upper or outer surfacei'of fl'ap 19 and hold the flap down in engagement wit-hi band lll for providing a quick and effective means forrecl'osing the carton.

Thus it will be seen that my retaining band may be quickly positioned on the carton by merely opening the end closure flaps in the normal manner, then slipping band Iii-downwardly over flap 19 and into engagement with flaps: 17, 18 and which have been swung from their closed positions to partially dependent positions along the outside of the respective side walls. As the lower fla're'd portions 26 of band 10 engageflaps 17, 18 and 20 they force the same downwardly into engagement with-the respective sidewalls at the same time that the bandis being moved downwardly along the open end of-Ithecartonto its position shown in Fig. l. Thedownw'a'rd movement of the band is arrested by inwardly extending flanges 27, 28 and 29. of th'eend closure-flaps" are" securely held in out-'of-the- In this position, three way positions while the remaining flap 19 may be readily swung downwardly and held in its downward positionagainst carton wall 14 by the consumer as he steadies the carton for removal of the contents by scooping. However, it is not necessary that flap 19 be held, because it can be bent downwardly to such an extent that it will remain in substantially vertical position. Even if flap 19 extends partially over the open end of the carton it need not-interfere with there'moval of the ice cream because the other three flaps are out-of-the-way, and it is alsimple' matter todip into the carton Without coming into contact with flap 19 After a sufficient portion of the contents has been removed, the'ca'rton-niaybe readily reclosed without removing retaining band 10 and without necessitating the re-engagernent of locking flaps 18 and 20. This is accomplished by merely swinging flap 19 across the open end of the canton and slipping the free edge thereof under lips 30. Wheninth-is condition, the cartonr'nay bereturned-to the refrigerator or freezer for reopening at a-later date;

It will thus be seen that my invention provides'anovel retaining band for holding a plurality of the cartonend closure flapsin' out-of-the-way positions against the respective sides of the carton fo'rlallowing free and unobstructed access tothe contents of the carton. More over, my retainingband provides means whereby the carton may be quickly and easily reclosed by only a single end closure fiap- Without disturbing the downfolded positions of the remaining closure flaps; In ad dition; my retaining band provides rigid and sharp edge portions extending inwardly over the open end of the carton against which the scoop may be scraped to re as it iscontemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the'art, within the spirit of the" invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1; The combination comprising a flap-retaining band and a-carton of the type having a plurality of side walls,

end closure flaps hingedly connected to the respective side walls of the carton and foldable over the open end of said-cartomfor forming a'multi-layer closure there for, said band'being detachable and comprising a plurality of body members, each of said body members extending at substantially right angles to the adjacent ones of said members for forming a substantially co-planaI hollow-frame, said members being adapted to closely engage certain of said end closure flaps when said flaps are folded back along the outside of the respective side walls of said carton for holding said flaps against said side walls i'n said folded positions, certain of said body members each having an'inwardly extending flange adjacent the upper edge thereof forengaging the inside of the hingeconnection between said end flaps and the respective sidewalls ofthe carton for holding said band in position on said carton with one of said flaps projecting outwardly through said'band and being free therefrom for swinging movement to temporarily close said open end of said carton, and means on one of said body members spaced from the hinge connectionbetween said free flap and the respectiveside wallof the carton for releasably engaging; said free flap, and holding the same in carton closing--positron.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 in which said means on said band for holding said free flap comprises an inwardly extending lip portion on one of said body members.

3. The combination comprising a flap-retaining band and a carton of the type having a plurality of side walls, end closure flaps hingedly connected to the respective side walls of the carton and foldable over the open end of said carton for forming a multi-layer closure therefor, said band being detachable and comprising a plurality of body members, each of said body members extending at substantially right angles to the adjacent ones of said members for forming a substantially co-planar hollow frame, said members being adapted to closely engage certain of said end closure flaps when said flaps are folded back along the outside of the respective side walls of said carton for holding said flaps against said side walls in said folded positions, certain of said body members each having an inwardly extending flange adjacent the upper edge thereof for engaging the inside of the hinge connection between said end flaps and the respective side walls of the carton for holding said band in position on said carton with one of said flaps projecting outwardly through said band and being free therefrom for swinging movement to temporarily close said open end of said carton, and a plurality of inwardly extending lip portions on said body members spaced from the hinge connection between said free flap and the respective side wall of the carton for releasably engaging said free flap and holding the same in carton closing position.

4. The combination comprising a flap-retaining band and a carton of the type having a plurality of side walls, end closure flaps hingedly connected to the respective side walls of the carton and foldable over the open end of said carton for forming a multi-layer closure therefor, said band being detachable and comprising four body members connected together adjacent the ends thereof for forming a substantially rectangular co-planar hollow frame, said members being adapted to closely engage certain of said end closure flaps when said flaps are folded back along the outside of the respective side walls of said carton for holding said flaps against said side walls in said folded position, certain of said body members each having an inwardly extending flange adjacent the upper edge thereof for engaging the inside of the hinge connection between said end flaps and the respective side walls of the carton for holding said band in position on said carton with one of said flaps projecting outwardly through said band and being free therefrom for swinging movement to temporarily close said open end of said carton, and means on one of said body members spaced from the hinge connection between said free flap and the respective side wall of the carton for releasably engaging said free flap and holding the same in carton closing positron.

5. The combination as specified in claim 4 in which the body members of said band are flared outwardly adjacent the lower edges thereof.

6. The combination as specified in claim 5 in which said means on said band for holding said free end flap comprises an inwardly extending lip on one of said body members.

7. The combination comprising a flap-retaining band and a carton of the type having a plurality of side walls, end closure flaps hingedly connected to the respective side walls of the carton and foldable over the open end of said carton for forming a multi-layer closure therefor, said band being detachable and comprising four body members connected together adjacent the ends thereof for forming a substantially rectangular co-planar hollow frame, said members being flared outwardly adjacent the lower edges thereof and being adapted to closely engage certain of said end closure flaps when said. flaps are folded back along the outside of the respective side walls of said carton for holding said flaps against said side walls in said folded position, certain of said body members each having an inwardly extending flange adjacent the upper edge thereof for engaging the inside of the hinge connection between said end flaps and the respective side walls of the carton for holding said band in position on said carton with one of said flaps projecting outwardly through said band and being free therefrom for swinging movement to temporarily close said open end of said carton, and a plurality of inwardly extending lip portions on said body members spaced from the hinge connection between said free flap and the respective side wall of the carton for releasably engaging said free flap and holding the same in carton closing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 800,613 Hayes Sept. 26, 1905 1,256,993 Eidlitz Feb. 19, 1918 1,449,811 Dacey May 27, 1923 2,030,134 Burgener Feb. 11, 1936 2,506,820 Webb May 9. 1950 

